If a dying child asks you if there is a heaven, what would you say?

I am uncertain if this is best suited for the philosophy forum or the debating forum. As you can most likely see, I chose the former.
http://www.createdebate.com/debate/s..._would_you_say

Shit, IDK. I would at least say that his suffering would come to end and he would feel at peace for an eternity. How to explain that to a child? Heaven explains it well. But I honestly don't know if I could lie to a child.

This makes me think of "The Invention of Lying" with Ricky Gervais.

I would probably tell the kid what (s)he wanted to hear.
A little lie could make passing into the unknown a bit more bearable.

Originally Posted by Azrael

This makes me think of "The Invention of Lying" with Ricky Gervais.

I would probably tell the kid what (s)he wanted to hear.
A little lie could make passing into the unknown a bit more bearable.

+1 on the Invention of Lying

I have no idea what I'd say. I'd probably lie and say yes.

Yes... If I were an atheist though, I'd probably tell then no. It wouldn't matter whether I told them the truth or a lie to them, they'd be dead soon, so might as well tell them what I percieve as true and not have to live with the regret. I do not compromise, especially not with my values. the guy, Rorshach on watchmen, that would be me. No compromising, even in the shadow of the apocalypse.

The child is about to die anyway, so what is the point in telling them the truth, when the value of the truth would be in having the child expand their knowledge for the betterment of their future - the child's future, as someone who isn't deluded, and the future of those the child would affect later in spreading the truth rather than fantasy. If the child wants to believe that there is a heaven, to make the last moments of life more comfortable, then yes, I would tell them yes. I would see no value in a painful truth when it wouldn't end up benefiting the child.

Also, what if when you die, your state of mind/emotional state, affect what happens when you die? Sort of random and far-fetched, but who knows.

If you believe in heaven, the choice is simple. But if you don't believe in heaven, you must chose whether lying to a dying child, which can affect your conscience for the rest of your life, is the right thing to do.

Yes, I absolutely would. I probably wouldn't even think about it, even though I've come to realize that heaven and hell are (probably) human inventions. It makes more sense to me that his last moments were comfortable, and hopeful. No point in telling the truth, really, as he's about to find out anyway. I doubt he'd hold it against me if I were wrong.

Everybody says yes, even they know it's a lie. Are you dead yet?
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100408/twl-clinically-dead-boy-saw-granny-in-he-3fd0ae9.html

If it would make a dying kid happy in their last moments, I'd do that. I'd rather live with that memory.